琉球 拳法 唐手 古武道 連合会

Ryukyu Kenpo is not a sport. However, Bogu Kumite and Kata can be adapted for competition. In order to attract greater attendance at our functions we can include Jiyu Kumite events, and, Women and Children Divisions.

Our Tournaments are: Open Competitions for All competitors, regardless of style.
If you can follow the rules, you are welcome. If you can't, don't whine.

RULES FOR COMPETITORS

Clean uniform, mouth guard, cup, and supporter are required by all competitors.

Contestants, referees and officials only are allowed on the main floor. Coaches, trainers, family, friends and spectators are in the seating area.

Courtesy and respect shall be shown to opponents, referees and officials. Disrespect in any guise is grounds for disqualification. You are responsible for the safety of your opponent.

Empty Hand Kata

Only regular kata allowed. No "Free Style", "Musical", "Team", "Tournament" or any other modern affectation that plagues today's tournaments will be allowed. This includes gymnastic routines in kata.

Scoring: Between zero and ten is awarded the competitor after his kata is completed. Zero is awarded if the competitor does not finish his kata or unintentionally falls down during the performance of his kata. Ten is awarded when the kata performance was perfect. Five stands for average performance for the level of the competitor.

For Medal Awards:

The high and low scores are ignored in tallying the total; excepting the case of a tie in scores affecting the outcome of awarding the medals.

In the case it is still a tie after the high and low scores are factored in:

The competitors repeat the kata they previously performed; and, the Judges score them again.

If it is still a tie, both are awarded the place. The place below is vacated. For example: for First Place both receive First Place; there is no Second Place, Third Place receives Third Place, not, Second Place.

Alternative Method: Competitors compete in rounds as in Kumite. At the end of each "match" the Judges indicate the winner by holding up the color paddle of the winner.

In the case it is a tie:

The competitors repeat the kata they previously performed; and, the Judges score them again.

If, it is still a tie: they perform a different kata.

For Medal Awards:

If it is still a tie, both are awarded the place. The place below is vacated. For example: for First Place both receive First Place; there is no Second Place, Third Place receives Third Place, not, Second Place.

Match procedure: An announcement will be made in the competitor staging area for a division to assemble. The division will be led single file out to the competition area. Competitors will line up, opposite the Judges, in the order that they will compete. At the command, "Bow to the Judges" they bow to the Judges and the Judges bow to them. The competitors (and Judges) then sit down, in order, in the area designated to them. The first competitor will be called up to perform and the next competitor will be notified to be "On Deck" to warm up. Starting at the left back corner of the ring, the competitor will walk along the line to the center of the back line, turn to face the Judges, then, enter the ring. The competitor will walk up to within two meters of the Judges; bow to them and announce his name, his style, and the name of the kata he is about to perform. If there is any special announcement regarding his performance, he makes it at this time. For example: "I will end facing to the left at the conclusion of the kata instead of facing forward as is normal". The competitor then bows to the Judges, backs away from them to the place he wishes to start, and commences his routine. It is the responsibility of the competitor to place himself in the proper location so he may complete his kata without interruption. At the end of his performance, he faces to the Judges, bows to them, does an about face, and marches to the back line, turns and walks along the back line to the right back corner and sits down in his place in the line of competitors. At this time the Judge in charge of the ring announces, "Gentlemen are you ready?", then, "Call for points." At this time the scores are raised so the Scorekeeper can read and record them as he walks behind the Judges. The scorekeeper taps him on the shoulder and says "Thank you" to each of the Judges when he finishes recording the score of the Judge. The Judge may now return the score cards to his lap. In the event the Alternative scoring method is used, the Judges will lift the appropriate color paddle to indicate his decision. The Scorekeeper announces the winner, or, if it is a tie. In the case it is a tie: The competitors repeat the kata they previously performed; and, the Judges score them again.

If, it is still a tie: they perform a different kata. The winner reports to the Scorekeeper then walks to the winners' pool. The loser moves to the losers' pool. At the end of the competition they are led back to the staging area.

Weapons Kata

The rules for Weapons Kata are exactly the same as the rules for Empty Hand Kata with these exceptions:

The kata is stopped and a score of zero is given, if, the competitor drops a weapon, harms himself, or another.

All weapons used must be real; and, the proper weight and size for the competitor. No "light weight" or "toothpick" Bo, wooden Kama, or "break apart" weapons are allowed. The decision of the Tournament Director is final in these types of matters.

No Nunchaku, Sword, or any other kata the Tournament Director deems inappropriate are allowed.

It is the responsibility of the competitor to place himself in the proper location so he may complete his kata without interruption or endangering the Judges or anyone else.

Jiyu Kumite

Contact: light contact only. Heavy to full - immediate loss by TKO.

Face contact: is allowed only in Advanced (Sankyu to Ikkyu) and Black Belt divisions.

Face contact in any other division:

1st incident warning and loss of point.

2nd = loss by TKO.

Any reddening, swelling, loss of consciousness, or bleeding results in loss by TKO, period!

Target areas: head, body, and groin. Excepting the face for divisions other than Brown and Black, must make contact with the target. Must stop 3 cm in front of face (novice = 6 cm) with enough remaining power and distance to have struck the target.

Allowed: sweeps, trips, kicks to the groin, jams, grabbing arms or kicks, knees and elbows, follow up on the ground (3 sec max.), falling to the ground to attack (3 sec max).

To score: must be clean, make contact and have sufficient remaining power and distance to inflict debilitating injury to the target if it had not been pulled. For these reasons, a kick that misses the target or a front hand back knuckle strike cannot be awarded points. The judges must also see it.

To continue: 1st person to accumulate 5 points is the winner. At the end of two minutes the person ahead on points is the winner. If no points have been awarded, judges point to the winner. If still a tie, or, there are points; two more minutes (or shorter if one reaches his 5 points). Winner then reports to the score/time keeper. A person who wins twice by TKO, at the judges' discretion, can be declared incompetent for that division and disqualified.

Out of bounds: as long as one leg is in bounds you can score. If one leg is out and you lift the other to kick, you cannot score. There is no penalty for going out of bounds while fighting. However, running out of bounds 1st time: warning, 2nd time loss of point, 3rd time: disqualification.

Match procedure: An announcement will be made in the competitor staging area for a division to assemble. The division will be led single file out to the competition area. The first set of competitors will be dressed by the equipment handlers (E/H) and led to the ring. The second set will immediately be dressed afterwards. The competitors will bow to the Center Referee then to each other at the command of the referee "Bow to me", "To each other". At the command "Fighting positions", competitors assume their fighting stances., "Fight" they begin. At the command "Break" both competitors cease fighting and back away from each other with guards up. At the command "On line" both competitors return to their start positions. To continue the bout, the Center Referee gives the command, "Continue". At the end of the match the score/time keeper throws a blue bean bag into the ring to notify the Center Referee. The Center Referee calls "Break" then "Bow to each other", "To me". The score/time keeper holds up the color paddle of the winner. Center Referee announces "winner" and lifts his corresponding arm overhead towards the winner. The winner reports to the score/time keeper then to the E/H nearby to remove his gear and is escorted to the winners' pool by the E/H. The loser reports to the far side E/H, is undressed and escorted to the losers' pool. At the end of the competition they are led back to the staging area.

Bogu Kumite

Equipment: Bogu will be provided. Personal Bogu gear that conforms to the specifications of the Tournament Director is allowed. Plain white or black T-shirt with regular or turtle neck collar, (school or system emblems may be on them), and short sleeves may be worn. V-neck, tank top, or sleeveless style T-shirts or T-shirts that have had the collar cut off, may not be worn. Knee and shin guards are required. Gi bottom length must minimally cover the upper one third of the shin bone. Forearm and elbow guards are required. Kenpo gloves, that pass inspection, may be used. Tennis (sport) style shoes and socks may be worn; provided, they have been only used indoors, clean, and pass inspection for use. Nothing with metal or hard surfaces may be worn. You will be dressed and undressed by the Equipment Handler (E/H).

Contact: heavy to full contact to all target areas.

Target areas: head and body where armored, upper extremities excepting elbow joint, mid-thigh and upward on lower extremities, and groin.

To score (Point Bogu): must be clean, make contact and have sufficient power inflict debilitating injury to the target if it had not been armored. For these reasons, a kick that misses the target or a front hand back knuckle strike cannot be awarded points. The judges must also see it.

Time limits:

Novice division has a three minute time limit.

Intermediate division four minutes.

Advanced division five minutes.

To continue:

Regular Bogu: There are no "points". The fight is continuous for the entire time period. At the end of time, judges point to the winner. If a tie, another time period is run. Winner then reports to the score/time keeper.

Point Bogu: 1st person to accumulate 5 points is the winner. At the end of time, the person ahead on points is the winner. If no points have been awarded, judges point to the winner. If still a tie, or, there are points; another time period is run (or shorter if one reaches his 5 points). Winner then reports to the score/time keeper.

Out of bounds: As long as one leg is in bounds you can score. If one leg is out and you lift the other to kick you cannot score. There is no penalty for going out of bounds while fighting. However, running out of bounds 1st time: warning, 2nd time: disqualification.

Match procedure: An announcement will be made in the competitor staging area for a division to assemble. The division will be led single file out to the competition area. The first set of competitors will be dressed by the equipment handlers (E/H) and led to the ring. The second set will immediately be dressed afterwards. The competitors will bow to the Center Referee then to each other at the command of the referee "Bow to me", "To each other". At the command "Fighting positions", competitors assume their fighting stances, chest protectors on the Center Referee's outstretched hands. On, "Fight" they begin the match. At the command "Break" both competitors cease fighting and back away from each other with guards up. At the command "On line" both competitors return to their start positions. To continue the bout, the Center Referee gives the command, "Continue". At the end of the match the score/time keeper throws a blue bean bag into the ring to notify the Center Referee. The Center Referee calls "Break", then, "Ready, Point." Referee and judges lift corresponding arm overhead towards the competitor to be awarded the victory. Normally, the Center Referee and at least one of the Side Judges agree on one competitor. In the case of the Center Referee indicating one victor and the two Side Judges a tie, the match goes to the Center Referee's decision. If the Center Referee indicates a tie and, either, both of the Side Judges indicate one competitor, or, one a tie and the other a victor, the match goes according to the Side Judges opinion. In the event of a tie, (two Side Judges for one, Center Referee for the other) the competitors fight for another round. This continues until one is finally declared the winner. Center Referee says then "Bow to each other", "To me", then announces "winner" and lifts his corresponding arm overhead towards the winner. The winner reports to the score/time keeper then to the E/H nearby to remove his gear and is escorted to the winners' pool by the E/H. The loser reports to the far side E/H, is undressed and escorted to the losers' pool. At the end of the competition they are led back to the staging area.

General

Defend yourself at all times. Do not drop your guards at the "Break." Obey the referee's commands at all times. If you are being fouled and the referee is not seeing it; bring it to his attention so he may watch for further violations. Indicate immediately if you are injured or wish to retire. Even if you are angry, do not argue with the judges or referee.

Redressing complaints: Lodge all complaints against Center Referees, judges or other officials with the Tournament Director. He will attempt to clarify the situation or remedy it. If enough legitimate complaints are filed, an official can be removed; although, this will not reflect in the match results -unless- a gross violation of the rules occurs.

Final arbiter: For all disputes the Tournament Director has the final say. The rules in English hold sway over all translations.

Entry Fees: There are no refunds for anyone disqualified or ejected from the tournament. A parent, trainer or coach can cause the disqualification of a competitor, through their actions, and; may be ejected from the arena by security.

Finals: Are held at night to determine 1st and 2nd places in all division except kids. Awards are handed out at the conclusions of the competition.